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Internships

The Center for the Study of Democracy offers St. Mary’s College students three separate paid internship opportunities. The William Donald Schaefer Internship for Government Service and the Schaefer Internship in the Office of the Comptroller are made possible through generous donations from Terry Meyerhoff Rubenstein, Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr., and friends of William Donald Schaefer. The William Donald Schaefer Legislative Internship is funded by the Office of the Vice President for Business and Finance and is available through the Center for the Study of Democracy.

William Donald Schaefer Legislative Internship

The Center for the Study of Democracy and the Department of Political Science are proud to announce the Spring 2018 Schaefer Legislative Internship Program in Annapolis.The Schaefer Legislative Intern in Annapolis will have the unique opportunity to assist in the representation of SMCM in the politics and administration of State government. The intern will research and summarize bills, manage legislative hearing schedules, attend hearings, and may have the opportunity to testify at hearings. The intern will have access to a State car and expenses will be provided for travel to and from Annapolis. An in-state tuition waiver is included.

Requirements:

The internship is open to SMCM juniors or seniors with experience or study in politics or public policy.
Other requirements include:

GPA of at least 3.0;

Ability to work in Annapolis 2-4 days per week;

Semester internship of up to 16 credit hours during the spring 2018 semester.

The intern will work under the supervision of the Vice President for Business and Finance. For a student to receive credit, s/he must make an appointment with Career Development Center staff to complete an Internship Learning Agreement.

Application Process:

Applications must be submitted through the Career Development Center. See internship announcement on HireSMCM for details.

William Donald Schaefer Internship for Government Service

The internship allows undergraduate students a hands-on experience in public policy with the hope that they will be inspired to choose public service as a calling. A $1000 stipend is included and assistance towards placement within a local, state or federal agency related to the recipient’s field of interest.

Previous Placements & Duties:

The Maryland Department of Health

The Maryland Department of the Environment

The Department of Education

Working with a St. Mary’s County Judge on the experimental Teen Drug Court

Attending Congressional committee meetings

Board of Education year-end reviews

Revitalizing inner-city schools with the Believe in Our Schools program

Assisting in the removal of invasive plants species with the Maryland Department of the Environment

Requirements:

Must be a current St. Mary’s student

St. Mary’s sophomore or junior; 3.3 GPA or higher

Wish to pursue a career in government service

Willingness to work for at least six weeks during the summer

Ability to work in at least one of these locations: St. Mary’s County, Annapolis, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C.

A written summary of the experience (min. 3 pages) must be submitted to the Center’s Executive Director within two weeks of completing the internship. This is required to receive the full stipend.

Application Process:

The following items are needed to complete an application:

A current resume with a cover letter discussing the importance of the award for your professional development and how you plan to use it;

The names of two people who would recommend you for the award. It is preferable, but not mandatory, that they be academic references;

A current writing sample from coursework (3-5 pages);

A short essay (1000 words or less) on the following topic:

“Write a memo to Governor Hogan about any problem facing young people today. Describe the problem and how you would go about trying to find a solution”

Interested candidates should submit a completed application to Ms. Adrienne Dozier (Anne Arundel Hall North, Suite N104) by the close of business on Friday, April 21, 2017. You may submit the application electronically to her at amdozier@smcm.edu. Oral interviews may be required following application submission. (Please note: you may need access to your own vehicle to travel to an internship location.)

Schaefer Internship in the Office of the Comptroller

In the spring of 2004, Comptroller Schaefer created a special Schaefer Internship opportunity for St. Mary’s College students.This internship will provide students with valuable hands-on experience with professional-level public service work. A $1000 stipend is also included. The recipient will work during the summer in downtown Annapolis in the Office of the Comptroller, the state’s chief financial officer.

Possible Duties:

Handling of delinquent tax collection

Enforcement of unclaimed property laws

Providing the comptroller with assistance (drawing up talking points for events and preparing trip itineraries)

Brainstorming and implementing new procedures for the office

Audit estate tax returns

Working with individuals who have failed to file taxes in compliance with the law

Conducting survey

Delivering presentations on their work to the Governor of Maryland.

Ability to work in at least one of these locations: St. Mary’s County, Annapolis, Baltimore, or Washington, D.C.